The Marxist PTB party gathered several thousand people in central Brussels on Sunday to protest against the federal government’s cuts to social spending and increased military budget, with attendance figures ranging between 3,000, according to police, and 5,000, according to the organisers.
“Cutting pensions to buy F-35s is anti-social and dangerous for peace,” declared the leftist leader, Raoul Hedebouw, during a rally held near the Albertine.
To address the budget deficit, the federal government has introduced broad reforms, including a penalty in the pension system to discourage early retirement, time limits on unemployment benefits, and stricter conditions for reduced working hours at the end of careers.
Simultaneously, in response to the new geopolitical climate, the De Wever team plans to meet NATO’s defence spending standard of 2% of GDP this year. The funding of this military effort is still being debated within the coalition, but the communists in opposition have already claimed that social security cuts will finance military expenses and the arms industry.
The PTB criticised the Arizona majority’s “social destruction” policies. “They claim there is no money, yet found four billion in two weeks to buy weapons. For years, they’ve misled us: when they say there is no money, they mean for workers and pensioners,” stated Raoul Hedebouw, specifically criticising Vooruit, Les Engagés, and the CD&V. “We expected this from the MR and the N-VA, but how could Vooruit, Les Engagés, and the CD&V let the right-wing drag them into their social destruction policies?”
The Flemish pacifist association Vrede also participated, with spokesperson Ludo De Brabander expressing concern over the growing “militarisation” of society. “We oppose this government’s plan to establish a so-called security culture by indoctrinating our youth with military service. We demand education for peace, not war,” he urged.
The PTB echoed this sentiment. “This militarisation will not bring peace. More weapons will lead to war,” cautioned Mr. Hedebouw. “We’re heading towards World War III, and it will be the sons of workers who fight, not the politicians’ sons.”
